Method and apparatus for drafting textile fibers



May 24, 1949. F. B R 2,471,057

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAFTING TEXTILE FIBERS Filed Dec 18, 1945 E EI. E Elk: 6 2 36 "a 47 I"- INVENTOR WH/TWORTH F 2 BY jfRiY Patented May24, 1949 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAFTIN G TEXTILE FIBERS Whitworth F.Bird, Swarthmore,

Pa., assignor to Collins & Aikman Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., acorporation of Delaware Application December 18, 1945, Serial No.635,642

41 Claims.

This invention is directed to a novel method of and apparatus for thedrafting of textile fibers. It has wide application in draftingprocesses, which includes the drafting of untwisted as well as twistedstock and textile fiber stock having fiber length variations of severa1hundred and sometimes over a thousand per cent. This degree of variationin fiber length will be found in the long worsted forming type of woolor mohair stock and blends of this wool or mohair with other fibers suchas cotton or synthetic fibers, or in combination with both.

Common current procedures are to blend cotton and wool fibers byselecting short fiber wools which have a fiber length nearly that ofcotton or of cutting wool top into lengths so that the cut fibers may bespun with cotton on what is commonly described as the cotton system.This system of drawing is generally characterized by the use of a shortratch for the draft stage, as is well understood throughout theindustry.

These procedures are uneconomic in that proper short wool fibers are notreadily available and the price of worsted top stock is considerablyhigher. .In addition, the highly important benefits of the long woolstaple, both in processing and in the finished yarn, are obviously lostby the prior cutting step.

The use of extremely long and short wool blended with short fibers suchas cotton will not draft evenly on known drafting equipment.

Also, if untwisted sliver of such stock is used, conventional slip rollsand an apron will not control the short fibers properly. They will pullthrough in bunches and the front slip rol1 will often have a surfacespeed higher than that of the supporting apron. If the weight of thefront roll, i. e., that slip roll nearest the usual nose bar, isincreased in an attempt to better control the short fibers, the weightwill have to be increased to such an extent that the fibers under theroll will not turn it and the frictionally driven apron will actuallystall. The area just behind the nip or contact point of the front rollsis the critical drafting area. In this area the fibers engaged by thefront rolls are being rapidly separated from the others.

By the present improvements and according to the illustrated embodimentsof the invention, I have overcome these economic and manufacturingdifficulties. I have done this by providing pairs of draft rolls,operating at progressively higher speeds to produce a draft stage ordrafting area, in combination with an apron located wholly or partiallywithin the draft stage arate from the apron.

and a pin roller with or without collars for controlling the fibers asthey approach the front nip of the draft stage. The pin roller may bedriven by a leather, rubberized, metal, or other flexible apron, or bymeans such as gears sep- The manner of driving the pin roller isdetermined by the stock being processed, and when desired the'pin rollermay function as a pressure roller as well as a comb, as will be morefully set forth. When collars are used on the pin. roller, the outer pinsurface diameterwill usually be slightly less than or equal to thecollar diameter.

Pin rollers or porcupine rolls of relatively large size have been usedin the known French system and in some other devices for straighteningtextile fibers in textile processing. It is be-- lieved that in no casehave they been used in the environment, combination, or for the purposesof the present invention.

An object of invention is to provide a nonr-atch forming slip draftfiber control roller cooperating with a supporting apron at a pointclose to the nip of the front rolls of a draft stage, said roll beingdriven at a predetermined rate by the apron or separate means other thanthe stock being drafted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of and apparatusfor the control of textile fibers by means of a continuous supportingapron co-acting with combining means.

Another object is to provide a method of and means for combing fibersbeing drafted on a cotton or worsted type drafting unit with a minimumof modification to drafting unit.

Another object is -to provide in combination, a depressed support anddepressing pin roll in pressure contact witha support at a point closeto the forward nip of a draft stage.

Another object is to provide a pin roller and apron combination in whichthe pin roll is r0- tated at the same surface speed as the speed of theapron.

Another object is to provide a combing action for textile fiberstogether with improved feed control in the draft stage.

These and other objects of invention will be manifest from aconsideration of the description, claims and drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of draft stagecomponents including an apron driven pin or porcupine roll.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of draft stagecomponents including a depressed apron and a pin or porcupine rollseparately driven at the same rate of speed as the apron.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of draft stagecomponents including a depressed apron and a pin or porcupine rollhaving collars for cooperating in frictionally driving the depressedapron.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic sub-assembly view of a simple gear drive foralternate type porcupine collar rolls, either of which may be associatedwith four adjacent spindles of the frame illustrated in Figures 2 and 3,together with a cooperating roller for driving the apron as in Figure 3.The pins of the pairs of rollers to the right extend slightly short ofthe collar diameters. This view further shows sections of the aprons 36which are in running contact with the control rollers in the mannershown in Figures 2 and 3.

Fig. is similar to Fig. v3 except for the passage of the apron about asingle driving spool type roll. Like parts have the same referencenumerals in Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 except for the short apron, 36', and spoolroll 60, Fig. 5.

Referring to Figure 1 in which pairs of rolls Ill, II and l2, 13,respectively, are the front and back rolls of a draft stage. Rolls 10,ll rotate at several times the speed of back rolls I2 and I3 to reduceor draft the fiber stock. A supporting belt or apron l4 maintained undertension by the weight roll I6 is frictionally driven by driven roll I3against which the apron I4 is pressed by roll [2. Depending on thelength of ratch or distance between the nips of the front and backrollers, a supporting roller or rollers l1 and cooperating slip rollerssuch as l8 may operate to partially control the stock prior to itsreaching the comb. The ratch may be slightly in excess of the length ofthe longest fibers, as is conventional.

The critical drafting area is close to the nose bar [9 which may betriangular in cross section. At or close behind this point, and inaccordance with this invention, a porcupine pin roll is mounted so thatthe ends of the pins 2| rest on the apron l4, and will be rotated by theapron during the drafting operation. It will be seen that the ends ofthe pins or needles 2| will completely penetrate the stock, bear on theapron, and be rotated by the apron and not by the stock, as is theroller 18. It will be understood that the use of fiber condensers as atthe rear of the feed rolls and between the nose bar and front rolls iscontemplated in the several figures and has been omitted to emphasizethe present improvements.

I have obtained very satisfactory results with anapron and a porcupinepin roll having a 5% inch pin surface diameter, and alternatelystaggered rows of pins 29 to the inch mounted in 28 rows on a inch roll.Shorter pins or those round at their points may be used when desired.The use of shorter pins enables penetration of the fiber stock forcombing and creates additional control of the fibers by pressure of thepin base roll on the fiber stock. This variation is adaptable to bothapron and independently driven pin rolls. The pins are mounted at anangle of about 47 to a tangent at the point of pin entry to its sleevebase. These dimensions are illustrative of successful practice and arenot considered critical, nor is the particular shape of the comb teeth.

Figures 2 and 3 show somewhat more complicated modifications in that apin roll is positive-- 17 driven and the apron is tensioned anddepressed a subtsantial extent by contact with the pin roll and othertensioning means. In Figure 2 the front rolls 30, 3t and back draftingrolls 32, 33 form a draft stage forwardly of optional feed rolls 34, 35.Apron 36 is looped about nose bar 31, driven roller 33, support rolleror cylinder 38, and roll 39 to which a spring 40 anchored at 4| isattached for strongly tensioning the apron 36. A step shaft 42 havingporcupine roll 50 with collars 5| keyed thereto as by sunken screws H isso positioned relative to the apron that the ins 45 and collars5l willdepress the apron and give a curved path to the stock just prior to itsleaving the nose bar 31; The shaft 42 is horizontally and verticallyadjustable to fixed positions relatively to the apron 38 and nose bar31. Carrier roll 21 and slip roll 28 are similar to rolls l1 and I8,Figure 1.

In Figure 2 the pins 45 and collars 5| are .shown as both being indepressing contact with the apron 36. The pin rolls with or withoutcollars are interchangeable in the illustrated embodiments of Figures 1and 2. There is some preference for the collar roller as it reduces thenumber of pins required to be set, provides a gauge for pin settinginspection or measurement as by a rule, and facilitates handling withoutinjury to the pins or operator. They do not interfere with the combingof the fibers because they are positioned laterally of the combing area.

Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 and like parts are given like referencenumerals for the sake of brevity. It differs from Figure 2 in that thesupport roller or cylinder 38 has been removed and adjustable roller 60is introduced somewhat forwardly of the mere apron supporting positionof cylinder 38. The roller 60 presses on the underside of apron 31 atpoints so as to form frictional nips with the collars 5| of pin rolls5!], and thus constitute all or part of the frictional apron drivingmeans. In this modification the pins 45 project outwardly slightly.short of the collar diameter 50 as not to be pressed by the roller 60.The difference in diameter of the pin surface and that of the collars ispreferably small so that the great bulk of the fiberswithin the combingarea are within the pins and the remainder which are in frictionalcontact with the apron tend to be drawn into the pins as they moveupwardly and around the nose bar 31. This movement of fibers into thepins results from the proper relative positioning of the combing membersand nose bar and also because the angular disposition of the pins tendsto cause contacting fibers, moving at a relatively high rate as in thecritical drafting area, to move upwardly along the pins toward the pinsupport until such time as they are positively drawn out of the combingarea by the front rolls of the device. With this construction a shorterapron which does not loop about roll 33 but moves directly from roll 39to the roller 60 may sometimes be used if the fiber length or typewarrant it. As will be seen in Fig. 4 the adjustment of the slip draftrolls and connected drive may be accomplished in any convenient mannersuch as pairs of screws BI and G2 in fixed journals such as 63. No claimis made to the well known type of adjustment structure shown in thecase.

These constructions definitely control the short fibers and in longfiber drafting prevent pulling through of medium length fibers whichextend into the critical drafting area, but which are no longer held bythe back rolls of the draft stage.

The above described depressed apron embodiapproximate inch more or less.

ments, Figures 2 and 3 of the present invention, are illustrative of thecomplete fiber control possible for the fibers of stock types most'difllcult to draft. In general, when the length or type variationsamong the fibers are somewhat less than maximum, the extent of aprondepression may be smaller. It will be often sufiicient to rely oncombing the bulk of the fibers with roll pin diameters shorter than thatof the collars and on the frictional drag of the supporting apron forthe small percentage not definitely pressed into the comb. Thedifierence in diameters may This construction used in Figure 2, forexample, permits small differences in apron and pin roll speed.Depending on the stock being processed, all three types of pin rolls maybe used in Figure 1, the pin roll of Figure 1 may be used in themodification of Figure 2 and the collar pin rolls of Figures 2 and 3 areinterchangeable for use in the modifications of Figures 2 and 3. If acollar roller having equal pin and collar diameters is used, I prefer toform the roll 60 as a spool to provide clearance in the portion oppositethe pins. The spooled roll is shown in Fig. 5 and designated 60'.

Figure 4 shows gear 46 at the end of pin roll shaft "which is driven bygear 41 on shaft 48 connected to a source of power and driven at a rateso that the speed of the pin roll surface is equal to the speed of thetensioned apron. Gears 49 are a booster gear or end gear assemblypositioned along the shaft 42. The necessity and number of such gearsare of course dependent on the length, weight, etc., of the shaft 42.This figure illustrates two types of pin rollers which may be used.

Types of machines in which my improvements may be used are cotton orworsted roving frames, final spinning frames, or any device in which thedrafting of twisted or untwisted slivers or stock is contemplated.

Very superior results have been obtained with the depressed roller andbelt or apron 36 especially on stock which has heretofore beenconsidered very difiicult to draw because of fiber length variation of/2" or less to considerably in excess of 5 inches as normally willresult from the blending of cotton and wool which has not been cut fromtop; Nine inch wool or mohair fibers are not uncommon. A typical cottonfiber diagram will show fibers of to 1% inches more or less, whereaswool stock containing fibers of 8 or more inches similarly containsshorter fibers down to a fraction of an inch.

The present improvements have been described in connection with a singledraft stage. Their use in multiple stages in a line of draft stageswhich includes these improvements in one or more stages is within thescope of the invention, as are structural changes includingmodifications of the length of the pins of the porcupine, the angle ofthe pins to their point of support, rounding pin ends as by burnishing,and variations in driving arrangements.

The method and apparatus of the invention herein described andillustrated provide positive control of the fibers in the criticaldrafting area, Control of all, or essentially all, the fibers in thisarea is insured by positively confining all or the great bulk of thefibers within the path of the preferably angularly disposed teeth of thecomb. The confining means .being' flexible functions similarly to anelastomer and its resilience, together with that of the pins, insureseificient operation without damag to operatingparts.

The flexibility of a continuous band of material such as an apronorendless chain type belt depressed by a toothed roller results in arelatively large combing area and fiber control hitherto unattainable asabove set forth. Another advantage is that when a positively drivenroller is used it does not stall the apron and may operate as a pressureroller which cannot be rotated by movement of fibers with consequentlack of adequate fiber control.

The drafting of the fibers of twisted stock removes the twist before thenip of the front rolls is reached by the short fibers, and hence thesefibers may be controlled and combed as above described.

I have described my invention in connection with preferred embodimentsthereof, but donot wish to be limited thereto, but rather by the scopeof the dependent claims.

I claim:

1. In a drafting device for textile fibers, a pair of front drawing offmembers, stock feeding means including an endless looped apron having astock supporting portion, supporting means for the apron including anose bar close behind the front drawing oif members, an apron tensioningroll yieldingly positioned within the apron loop, a pair of rollsforming a driving nip for the apron, a slip draft roll positionedforwardly of the said apron driving nip and above the apron to provide arestricted fiber passageway, means -for positively driving the sliproll, said slip roll having firm end portions which may press on thetensioned apron and aid in driving it, and a central fiber controlportion, said central fiber control portion forming a pressure slipdraft passage with the apron for textile fibers being processed, saidcentral fiber control portion being the only fiber control portion ofthe slip draft roll and being more readily deformable than the firm endportions which aid in driving the apron.

2. In a drafting device for textile fibers a pair of front drawing offmembers forming a nip, stock feeding means including an endless loopedapron,

' supporting means for the apron including a nose bar close behind thefront drawing off members, an apron tensioning device for yieldinglytensioning the apron, a pair of rolls forming a driving nip for theapron, a slip draft unit positioned forwardly of the apron driving nipand above the apron to produce a restricted fiber passage, a positivedriving element connected to the slip draft unit, said slip draft unitbeing adjustable both horizontally and vertically of said apron, saidslip draft unit having firm end portions which may press on the apron todepress it under tension and aid in driving the apron, and a centralfiber control portion, said central fiber control portion forming acurved slip draft passage with the apron for textile fibers beingprocessed, said central fiber control portion being the only fibercontrol portion of the slip draft roll and being more readily deformablethan the firm end portions which aid in driving the apron.

3. In a drafting device for textile fibers, a pair of front drawing offmembers forming a nip, stock feeding means including an endless loopedapron rearwardly of the said nip, yieldable tensioning means for theapron, supporting means for'the apron, apron driving means, said drivingmeans including a slip draft roll positioned close to the drawing 01fnip and being in pressure contact with the tensioned apron, said slipdraft roll having firm end portions which contact the apron and aid indriving it and a central fiber control portion, said central fibercontrol portion being more subject to deformation than the end portionsand comprising means secured within a recess between the apron drivingend portions so that the fiber control portion may exert yielding fiberrestraining forces including pressure of less than breaking force on thetextile stock in order that either long or short fibers or combinationsmay be processed without excessive fiber breakage and withoutdeleterious operating effect on the central fiber contacting controlportions and means operatively connected to th slip draft roll to rotateit.

4. In a drafting device for processing various lengths of textilefibers, a pair of front drafting members forming a front drawing ofinip, stock feeding means including an endless apron, a nose bar andapron tensioning means within the apron loop, a roller in contact withthe apron, a pressur slip draft roll having an apron contacting portionwhich forms a firm apron driving nip with the said roller and a centralfiber contacting slip draft control portion of more fragile constructionwith respect to deformation than the nip forming portion, said centralfiber contacting slip draft control portion being substantiallyunaffected by pressure from the tensioned apron when textile stock isnot being run through the drafting device, but responsive to apronpressure to compress strands of fibers during processing and drivingmeans for the apron driving nip forming members.

5. In a drafting device for processing textile strands having a widevariation in fiber length, a pair of front drafting members forming afront drawing off nip, stock feeding means including an apron, a nosebar and tensioning means for the apron, a roller in contact with theapron, a pressure slip draft roll having an apron contacting portion todepress the apron into a curved path under tension and which forms afirm apron driving nip with the said apron contacting roller, saidpressure slip draft roll having a central slip draft portion, extendingto approximately flush with the nip forming portion but forming only ayielding restraint on the fibers being processed, said restraint beingless than sufficient to break the fibers and driving means connected tothe apron nip forming unit.

6. In a drafting device for textile fibers, a pair of front drawing offmembers forming a nip, stock feeding means including an endless loopedapron, means closely rearwardly of the front drawing on, members forsupporting the apron, rotatable means for forming an apron nip to drivethe apron, said means including an apron driving roll within the loop ofthe apron and a portion of a slip draft unit superposed to the apron,said slip draft unit having end portions which cooperate with the saidapron driving roll to form a driving nip for the apron and a centralslip draft control portion, positive driving means connected to one ofthe apron driving nip forming rotatable members, said central fibercontrol portion comprising slip draft means inserted in a recess betweenthe apron driving end portions so as to exert a yielding fiberrestraining force on the fiber stock being processed in order thatstocks containing fibers of a length considerably greater than thedistance between the front nip and said driving nip may be processedwithout excessive fiber breakage.

7. In a drafting device for long and short textile fibers, a pair offront drawing off members forming a nip, stock feeding means includingan endless looped apron, supporting and tensioning means for the apron,rotatable means positioned in the critical drafting zone close behindthe front drawing off nip to drive the apron, said means including anapron driving roll within the loop of the apron and a portion of a slipdraft unit superposed to the apron, said slip draft unit having endportions which form an apron driving nip with the said apron drivingroll and a central slip draft fiber control portion, positive drivingmeans connected to the apron driving means, said central slip draftfiber control portion comprising slip draft means positioned in a recessbetween the apron driving end portions :10 as to exert a slip pressureand intimate fiber control forces on the fiber stock being processed andsaid end portions providing a guard for the slip draft means.

8. In a drafting device for processing various lengths of textilefibers, a pair of front drafting members forming a front drawing offnip, stock feeding means including an endless looped apron, means fordriving the apron, apron supporting and tensioning means positionedwithin the apron loop and in contact with the apron, a slip draft rollhaving firm collar portions which contact the apron, but not the fibersbeing processed, and a central slip draft control portion for contactingand controlling the fibers during processing, said central slip draftcontrol portion being more readily deformable than the firm aproncontacting portion and being protected by the firm collar portionsagainst undesirable deformation. 9. In a drafting device for long andshort textile fibers, a pair of front drawing off members forming a nip,stock feeding means including a short endless looped apron, supportingand tensioning means for the apron, rotatable means positioned in thedrafting zone close behind the front drawing off nip to drive the apron,said means including a single apron driving roll within the loop of theapron and a slip draft roll superposed to the apron and centeredforwardly of the apron driving roll, said slip draft roll having endportions which form an apron driving nip with the said apron drivingroll and a central slip draft portion, said central slip draft portioncomprising slip draft means positioned in a recess between the aprondriving end portions so as to exert slip pressure and intimate fibercontrol forces on the fiber stock being processed and positive drivingmeans connected to the apron driving means.

10. In a drafting device for textile fibers, a pair of front drawing offmembers forming a nip, means closely rearwardly of the front drawing offmembers for supporting the apron, rotatable means for forming an apronnip to drive the apron, said means including an apron driving r011within the loop of the apron and a centrally recessed slip draft rollsuperposed on the apron, said slip draft roll having relatively firm endportions which cooperate with the said apron driving roll to form anapron driving nip for the apron and a central fiber contacting slipdraft control portion, said central fiber contacting slip draft controlportion comprising a slip draft means secured in the recess between theend apron driving portions of the slip draft roll, said means being morereadily deformable than the relatively firm apron driving portions.

' 11. In the combination set forth in claim 10 further characterized inthat the more readily deformable slip draft means are pins and that bothpressure and intimate fiber control and 9 straightening of untwistedstock may be effected.

12. In a drafting device for long and short textile fibers, a pair offront drawing off members forming a nip, stock feeding means includingan endless looped apron, supporting and tensioning means for the apron,rotatable means positioned in the drafting zone close behind the frontdrawing oif nip to drive the apron, said means including an aprondriving roll within the loop of the apron and a slip draft rollsuperposed to the apron and centered forwardly of the apron drivingroll, said slip draft roll having end portions which form an aprondriving nip with the said apron driving roll and a central slip draftportion, said central slip draft portion constituting the fibercontacting and control part of the roll and together with the apronforming a slip draft passage for the fibers, said central slip draftportion. being more readily deformable than the end apron drivingportions, and positive driving means connected to the apron drivingmeans.

13. In the combination set forth in claim 10, further characterized inthat the apron driving roll is formed like a spool and clearance isprovided between the spool and the apron at that portion of the apronwhich is opposite the central fiber contacting slip draft controlportion of the slip draft roll.

14. In a drafting mechanism for textile fibers, front and back rollersdefining a drafting area, a movable supporting apron for the fibers asthey pass longitudinallythrough said drafting area, said apron beingpositioned rearwardly of the front rollers, a pin roll combing member inrunning contact with said supporting apron, said pin roll member beingdriven by the supporting apron in its forward movement.

15. In the combination set forth in claim 34 further characterized inthat the pin roll fiber controlling member is connected to a source ofpower other than the supporting apron.

16. In a drafting mechanism for textile fibers, front rolls forming afront drawing off nip, a movable supporting apron for said fibers, saidapron being positioned rearwardly of the front rollers, tensioning meanspositioned partially within the confines of the apron, a pin rollcombing member in pressure contact with the outer surface of said apron,said pin roll combing member cooperating with said tensioning means tointroduce additional tension to the apron and to depress it into acurved path in the area of contact of the apron and pin roll.

17. In a drafting device having a drafting area for textile fibers, apair of front rolls forming a front drawing ofi nip for textile fibers,a supporting apron for fiber stock passing through said drafting area,said apron being positioned rearwardly of the front rollers, means forfrictionally driving said supporting apron, a roller for pressing on thesurface of the fibers being drafted as they move between the roller andapron said roller having short pins for penetrating the stock andcontrolling the pressed fibers, and means other than the stock fordriving said pressure roller at a predetermined rate.

18. In a drafting device having a drafting area for textile fibers, apair of front rolls forming a front drawing oif nip for textile fibers,a supporting apron for fiber stock passing through said drafting area,said apron being positioned rearwardly of the front rollers, means forfrictionally driving said supporting apron, a roller in the criticaldraft area for pressing on the surface of the fibers being drafted asthey move between the roller and apron said roller having short pins forpenetrating the stock and controlling the fibers being pressed by thesurface of the roller and supporting apron and means for positivelydriving said pressure roller at a predetermined rate, regardless of theseparation rate of the fibers being drafted.

19. In a drafting mechanism having a drafting area for textile fibers, afront pair of rolls which forms a front drawing off nip, a movablesupporting apron for the fibers as they pass through the drafting area,said apron being positioned rearwardly of the front rollers, tensioningmeans including a weight roll and spring assembly for the supportingapron, a pin roll combing member inpressure and apron deflecting contactwith the surface of said apron, said pin roll combing membercooperatingwith said tensioning means to produce tension and curvaturein the apron in the critical draft area at the rear of the front pair ofrolls.

20. In a drafting mechanism having a drafting area for textile fibers, afront pair of rolls to form a front drawing off nip, a movablesupporting apron for the fibers as they pass through the drafting area,said apron being positioned rearwardly of the front rollers, a combingroller having collars, means for positively driving the combing rollerand means forming a nip with a roller collar to create an apron drivingmeans.

21. In a method of drafting textile fibers, the steps which consist offeeding a strand of fibers to and through a drafting area, providing acontinuous support lengthwise of the fibers, simultaneously andprogressively penetrating the strand of fibers being fed by insertingfiber control teeth the full width of the stock but only at pointsopposite to points of continuous sup-' port, withdrawing the fibercontrol teeth after substantially complete penetration of the stock,said insertions and withdrawals being in a rotary path, the outerperimeter of said rotary path of the fiber control teeth touching orbeing closely spaced from. the said points of support so that theinitial penetration of the fibers is effected without substantialdistortion of the strand by the teeth, and the fibers are controlledwithout localized strand deflections within the penetrated area. a p

22. In a method of drafting textile fibers having a wide variation inlength, the steps which consist of feeding a stock of fibers to andthrough a drafting area, providing a continuous support lengthwise ofthe fibers in a predetermined position in the drafting area,simultaneously and progressively penetrating through the stock of fibersbeing fed by inserting and withdrawing fine fiber control teeth, saidinsertions and withdrawals being in a rotary path and the insertionsbeing only at points opposite to points of continuous support, the outeredge of said rotary path of the fiber control teeth touching or beingclosely spaced from the points of support in the predetermined area sothat the fine teeth will enter the stock without substantial compressionor localized deflection of the fibers by the individual teeth and thesupport.

23. In the combination set forth in claim 21, further characterized inthat the teeth are inserted at an angle to the fibers being fed wherebythe drafting of the fibers will cause the fibers to move into the areaof the teeth, and wild fibers will be controlled.

24. In a method of drafting textile fibers, 'thej steps which consist offeeding fibers to and through a drafting area, providing a continuoussupport lengthwise of the fibers for those fibers which have reached aforward portion of said drafting area in which the fibers are beingrapidly moved relatively to one another, progressively inserting andwithdrawing fine teeth through the stock from above the fibers, saidinsertions and withdrawals being in a rotary path and the insertionsoccurring only where the fibers are continuously supported againstdownward deflection at points which are at or closely spaced from theoutside perimeter of the rotary'path of the penetrating ends of the fineteeth, moving the fine teeth and support simultaneously in the gen-'eral direction of stock travel while simultaneously feeding, drafting,and controlling the penetrated fibers so that the penetrated stock isuniformly controlled, and wild fibers are effectively prevented fromleaving the mass of fibers in the said forward drafting area.

25. In the combination set forth in claim 21, further characterized inthat the fibers being penetrated, confined against separation from themass, and combed, are substantially simultaneously with these operationssubjected to a top and bottom pressure and are caused to follow therotary path of the teeth for a predetermined distance,

26. In a method of drafting textile fibers, the steps which consist offeeding fibers to and through a drafting area, providing a continuoussupport lengthwise of the fibers for those fibers which are being movedrelatively to one another in the drafting area, progressively insertingand withdrawing groups of fine teeth from above the fibers, saidinsertion and withdrawal being in a rotary path and the insertionsoccurring only at points where the fibers are continuously supportedagainst downward deflection from the mass of fibers along a path whichcontacts the penetrating ends of the fine teeth as they move throughtheir rotary path, moving the teeth and contacting supportsimultaneously in the general direction of stock travel whilesimultaneously feeding, drafting, and combing the penetrated fiberswhereby the penetrated stock is controlled and wild fibers areeffectively prevented from leaving the mass of fibers in the saiddrafting area.

27. In a method of drafting twisted textile strands, the steps whichconsist of feeding fibers to and through a drafting area, removing thetwist of th strand as it moves forwardly in the drafting area, providinga continuous support lengthwise of the fibers for those fibers orportions of fibers which have reached a forward portion of said draftingarea in which the fibers are being rapidly moved relatively to oneanother, then progressively inserting and withdrawing groups of fineteeth from above the fibers, said insertion and withdrawal being in arotary path and the insertions occurring only while the fibers arecontinuously supported by said support against downward deflection fromthe mass of fibers along a path which contacts or is closely spaced fromthe outside of the rotary path of the penetrating ends of the teeth.moving the teeth and support simultaneously in the general direction ofstock travel while simultaneously feeding, drafting, and combing thepenetrated fibers so that the penetrated stock is approximatelyuniformly controlled and wild fibers are effectively prevented fromleaving the mass of fibers in the said forward drafting area.

28. In a drafting device for textile fibers, feeding means, meansproviding a front drawing of! nip for fibers being drafted, a fibersupporting guide means which extends lengthwise along the path of thefibers being processed as they move to the front drawing ofi nip, arotatable fine tooth control roller, said control roller and said guidemeans defining a fiber passage which is substantially through the teethof the control roller, and said guide means being in sufliciently closeproximity to the ends of the teeth at the points of first contactbetween the teeth and strand of fibers being processed so that theinitial point of penetration of the stock by the fine teeth is alwaysopposite a point of support for the fibers. I

29. In a drafting device suitable for the drafting of textile fibers,means to provide a front drawing off nip for fibers being drafted, meansfor controlling the uniformity of the drafting, said means including arelatively smooth resilient supporting means, a rotatable finetoothcontrol roller which, together with the resilient support defines afiber control passage for the fibers to be drafted, said resilientsupport means being in contact with the fine tooth control roller, andpositioned for supporting the stock as it approaches the ends of theteeth in order that penetration of the stock by the teeth is alwaysaffected directly opposite a point of support for the fibers, means fordriving the resilient support, and means for driving the rotatable finetooth control roller, whereby the fibers will be positioned within thearea of the teeth during operation of the device by means of thecoaction of the toothed roll and the uninterrupted surface of theresilient support without localized vertical deflection of the strand asit moves through the fine teeth.

30. In a drafting device suitable for the drafting of textile fibers,means to provide a front drawing off nip for fibers being drafted, meansfor controlling the fibers rearwardly of the front drawing off nip, saidmeans including a movable apron for contacting the fibers as they passtoward the front nip, a rotatable control roller having penetrating pinsclosely superposed to said movable apron to form a fiber control passagewhich is substantially wholly within the pinned area of said roller,whereby a strand of fibers being processed will be confined within thezone of the penetrating pins without distortion of the strand within thepinned area.

31. In a drafting device suitable for the drafting of textile fibersmeans to provide a front drawing off nip for fibers being drafted, meansfor controlling the fibers rearwardly of the front drawing off nip, saidmeans including a movable apron for contacting the fibers as they passlongitudinally toward the front nip, a rotatable pressure control rollerhaving penetrating short pins closely superposed to said movable apronto form a fiber control passag which is substantially through the pinnedarea of said roller, whereby the strand of fibers being processed willbe simultaneously pressed evenly across its width while confined withinthe zone of the penetrating pins without distortion of the strand in thepinned area.

32. In the combination set forth in claim 31, further characterized inthat the pins are inserted in the control roller at an angle of suchsize that an obtuse angle is formed by the pins and the advancing fibersas these fibers initially contact the pins.

33. In a drafting device suitable for the drafting of untwisted ortwisted textile fibers, means to form a front drawing off nip for thefibers, means for controlling the fibers during drafting, said meansincluding a frictionally driven apron for supporting a strand of fibersas they move longitudinally toward the front nip, a rotatable controlroller having fine teeth for penetrating through the strand positionedabove the apron close to the front nip, said control roller and apronbeing in pressure contact with each other and forming a fiber controlpassage through the device, means for driving the rotatable pin rollerand movable apron whereby a continuously fed strand of fibers will bepositioned substantially within the area of the fine teeth duringoperation of the device.

34. In a drafting mechanism for textile fibers, front rollers which forma front nip to draw off the fibers as they are drafted, a movablesupporting apron for fibers as they pass forwardly to the front nip, arotatable pin roll fiber controlling member in running contact with thesupporting apron and defining a fiber passage therewith, said pin rollhaving a surface speed equal to the surface speed of the supportingapron.

35. In a drafting mechanism for textile fibers, front rollers which forma front nip to draw off the fibers as they are drafted, a movablesupporting apron for fibers as they pass forwardly to the front nip, arotatable pin roll fiber controlling member for penetrating the supplyof fibers as it moves forwardly along the apron and approaches the frontnip of the drafting mechanism.

36. In a drafting mechanism for textile fibers, a front drawing ofi'means for the fibers, a movable supporting apron rearwardly of the frontdrawing off means, a rotatable pin roll combing member in pressurecontact with the supporting apron and causing it to take a curved path,said pin roll combing member and apron forming a fiber passage for stockbeing fed and operating together at a predetermined surface speed foreach.

37. In a drafting mechanism for textile fibers, front members which forma front nip to draw oil the fibers as they are drafted, a movablesupporting apron for the fibers as they pass forwardly to the front nip,a vertically adjustable rotatable pin roll fiber controlling member forpenetrating the supply of fibers as it moves forwardly along the apronand approaches the front nip of the drafting mechanism, a fixed barsupport for the movable apron and stock, said fixed bar being positionedbetween the pin roll and the front members at a height which willdeflect the stock in the opposite direction to the deflection caused bythe vertically adjustable pin roll in different adjusted positions.

38. In a drafting mechanism for strands of textile fibers, a frontdrawing of! means forming a nip for fibers being drafted, a verticallyadiustable rotatable pin roll close to the nip of the drawing 011'means, a flexible strand guide positioned close to the pin roll tosupport the strand directly opposite a point of initial strandpenetration by the pins, a fixed bar between the pin roll and thedrawing or: nip, said fixed bar being positioned at a height so as toprovide a vertical deflection in the path of the strands as the strandsmove from the pin roll to the drawing ofl. nip in different adjustedvertical positions of the pin roll. said deflection varying d positionedclose to the front in extent depending on the particular verticalposition of the pin roll.

39. In a drafting mechanism for strands of textile fibers, a frontdrawing oif means having a nip for fibers .being drafted, a rotatablepin roll close to the nip of the drawing 011 means, a forwardly feedingguide means positioned sufiiciently close to the pin roll to support thestrand directly opposite to a point of initial strand penetration by thepins, a fixed support bar positioned between the pin roll and thedrawing off nip, said fixed bar being positioned at a height so as toprovide a vertical deflection in the path of the strands as the strandsmove from the pin roll to the drawing off nip, said vertical deflectionvarying in extent in accordance with the particular vertical adjustmentof the pin roll.

40. In a drafting device for textile fibers, feeding means, meansproviding a front drawing ofi nip for fibers being drafted, a guidemeans having a relatively smooth surface, said surface extendinglengthwise the path of the fibers being processed as they move to thefront drawing ofi nip, a single rotatable fine tooth control roller,drawing ofi nip, said control roller and said guide surface defining anelongated fiber passage which is substantially through the teeth of thecontrol roller, and said guide surface being in close proximity to theends of the teeth at the points of first contact between the teeth andstock being processed so that the initial point of penetration of thestock by the fine teeth is opposite a point of support for the fibers.

41. In a drafting device for textile fibers, feeding means. meansproviding a front drawing ofl. nip for fibers being drafted, a flexiblesupport and guide means having a relatively smooth surface which extendslengthwise of the path of the fibers to be processed as they move to thefront drawing off nip, a rotatable and adjustable fine tooth controlroller, said control roller and flexible support defining a fiberpassage in several adjusted positions, all of which are substantiallythrough the teeth of the control roller, said flexible support being inclose proximity to the ends of the teeth at points of first contactbetween the teeth and stock being processed, so that the initial pointof penetration of the stock 0 by the fine teeth is opposite a point ofsupport for the fibers.

WHITWORTH F. BIRD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 461,855 Thompson Oct. 27, 1891755,347 Bietenholz Mar. 22, 1904 849,812 Perrin Apr. 9, 1907 1,748,712Gminder Feb. 25, 1930 1,795,351 Stell Mar. 10, 1931 1,933,222 RooneyOct. 31, 1933 2,079,122 Lawton May 4, 1937 2,091,822 Kraft Aug. 31, 19372,233,963 Shaw Mar. 4, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 457,557Great Britain Dec. 1, 1936 510,336 France Dec. 2, 1920 674,084 GermanyApr. 4, 1939

